Islanders News: Matthew Schaefer is a swell dude

[New York Islanders]

Islanders News: Matthew Schaefer is a swell dude

They like Schaefer, they do.

You made it! We made it! Since I was last able to publish, the Islanders dropped the news that Matthew Schafer had signed his ELC. But of course the kid didn’t just sign his first pro contract, he managed to make it a feel-good story by inviting all kinds of kids who’d also lost a parent to join in, ask him questions, and generally not feel alone.

In the Year of Our Bossy, 2025, did you ever expect the Islanders would land a 17-year-old quite like this? More on that in a moment…

But First: The Site Transition​

But first, a note about our site migration. Thanks for bearing with the network overlords as they moved the bells and whistles. If you have trouble logging in, click the notices on the site or, if all else fails, email [email protected].

The site should largely focus like it did before (though we’re told there are now fewer ads and fewer intrusions for those who log in), but there is one notable new area for short-form, breaking news, or other grabass interaction: The Feed.

To test, I posted one late last night here, a link to one of the Matthew Schafer stories that just kind of underlines what a great kid he appears to be. I imagine The Feed will function like that, where you can share quick things or specific ideas, kind of like the FanPosts and FanShots of yesteryear, for you old-timers. Lest it get spammed with crap, I’m pretty sure the most engaged or talked-about Feed posts will rise to the top. In theory.

Islanders News​

And now, back to the daily topics at hand: the suddenly relevant-again New York Islanders…

• Schaefer to wear #48. I’m not really thrilled with the original reason, though I can accept it with the middle man being his brother. And I’m glad we’re past the era of “Lou said you wear 3, so you wear 3.” [Isles]
• Here’s the big one though: Schaefer shared his signing event with kids who’ve lost loved ones. I’m not crying, you’re crying. [Isles]
• He also threw out a first pitch at a Mets game. [Isles]
• This list has the Isles as one of three teams with “tier 1” goaltending. Big question mark there in the backup slot though. [TSN]
• Also in the nice news category, Scott Mayfield, Ryan Pulock and Kyle MacLean played with some Viscardi students who played wheelchair hockey. [Isles]

NHL News​

• A bear did what many of us would do when we see a mascot. [Sportsnet]
• Anton Khudobin hangs up his pads. [Sportsnet]
• Nine significant RFAs remain unsigned, including 21-year-old Luke Hughes and Billy Guerin’s cold-shouldered Marco Rossi. [Sportsnet]
• Speaking of Rossi, what’s the deal here? [Athletic]
• Why some NHLers choose sleep over drinking during the season. [Athletic]
• Vitali Kravtsov returns from the KHL to rejoin the Canucks. [TSN]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...islanders-news-matthew-schaefer-elc-great-guy